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US 9,509,263 B2Granted
Amplifiers and related biasing methods and devices
AssigneePeregrine Semiconductor Corporation
InventorFleming Lam
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Biasing methods and devices for amplifiers are described. The described methods generate bias voltages proportional to the amplifier output voltage to control stress voltages across transistors used within the amplifier.
Claims20
A biasing method for an amplifier, the biasing method comprising:
- providing an amplifier comprising a first plurality of devices arranged in a first cascode configuration;
- supplying the amplifier with a positive supply voltage and a negative supply voltage;
- sensing a voltage at an amplifier node coupled to the first cascode configuration through a sensing device;
- based on the sensing, generating, via a second plurality of devices arranged in a second cascode configuration and a plurality of series-connected resistors coupled to the second cascode configuration via the sensing device, a plurality of bias voltages;
- based on the generating, biasing the first plurality of devices;
- and
- based on the biasing, operating the amplifier with an increased voltage range of the voltage at the amplifier node, wherein
- a voltage magnitude of the positive supply voltage is larger than a withstand voltage of:
- a) each device of the first plurality of devices, b) each device of the second plurality of devices, and c) the sensing device, and
- a voltage magnitude of the negative supply voltage is larger than a withstand voltage of:
- a) each device of the first plurality of devices, b) each device of the second plurality of devices, and c) the sensing device.
8 more elements
A bias circuit connectable, during operation, to a node of an amplifier coupled to a first plurality of devices arranged in a first cascode configuration, the bias circuit comprising:
- a sensing device coupled to the node of the amplifier;
- a second plurality of devices arranged in a second cascode configuration;
- a plurality of series-connected resistors coupled to the second cascode configuration via the sensing device;
- wherein, during operation:
- the sensing device senses a voltage at the node of the amplifier and provides a corresponding proportional current flow through the second cascode configuration and the plurality of series-connected resistors,
- the current flow through the series-connected resistors provides biasing voltages to the first plurality of devices via a plurality of nodes of the series-connected resistors that increase an operating voltage range of the voltage at the node of the amplifier without overstress of the first plurality of devices, and
- the bias circuit operates from a positive supply voltage and a negative supply voltage of the amplifier, wherein:
- a voltage magnitude of the positive supply voltage and a voltage magnitude of the negative supply voltage are larger than a withstand voltage of:
- a) each of the first plurality of devices, b) each of the second plurality of devices, and c) the sensing device.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.